'Superb': Alan Shearer left blown away by £12m Arsenal player who's played just 90 minutes this season
09/17/2024 02:55 AM
After enjoying the success of their North London derby victory, the Arsenal coaches and players have needed to quickly refocus their attention to another vital week ahead.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta on Thursday – an unusual day for a Champions League match to be played.
Of course, once they return from Italy, the Gunners will then also face a trip to Manchester City, the games don't get any easier.
So far this season, Arsenal have already won away at Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur – two of the hardest trips of the campaign.
And were Arteta's side successful away to Man City, it would represent a remarkable start.
That being said, with Declan Rice returning for these away trips, the Arsenal manager does have some tough selection calls to make.
Jorginho hailed as the ‘ultimate professional’ after North London derby display
In his midfield, Arteta chose to deploy experienced-head Jorginho against Spurs, given those who were missing.
As ever, the Italian delivered a stellar performance despite not playing any first team football prior this season.
And there is now a credible shout to start the £12m midfielder instead of Thomas Partey away in Italy, a league which Jorginho knows very well.
Speaking about Jorginho's performance on Sunday, Alan Shearer included the 32-year-old in his Team of the Week, saying he marshalled the middle of the park.
Shearer said: "Making his first appearance of the season, showed all his experience by marshalling a midfield missing captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice superbly.
"The ultimate professional.”
A brilliant player for Arteta to have in his squad, someone he can trust in the biggest of games, but also not someone who will complain when missing out.
Raheem Sterling deserves his first Arsenal start vs Atalanta
As well as Jorginho starting against Atalanta on Thursday, it could also be an excellent chance to hand Raheem Sterling his full debut.
Gabriel Martinelli's industry will no doubt be needed against Man City on Sunday, and this is the exact sort of game Sterling was brought to Arsenal for.
Arteta won't be able to significantly change his team, Atalanta are an excellent side, but the Arsenal boss will need to make some alterations.
Perhaps Riccardo Calafiori may also be fit to play back in the Serie A – the full back missed the win over Spurs owing to a knock to his calf.
That being said, after Sunday's win, Arsenal have opened contract talks with one player who's attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
